uad782 wrote:Hi Game
There are plenty of chances to see the ocean if you follow the coast but you do have to detour. The detour is often only 2 to 5km. I would not use the PAcific or M1 as it is called. It has a lot of heavy vehicles and impatient drivers.
That being said with the aid of Rons map you can probably plan a route that gets you to the ocean and avoids the Pacific Hwy. the highway is being upgraded. In my area you can now cycle from Kempsey to Woolgoolga on the old highway which is quiet. Doing this would allow you to stay at some great beach locations such a Nambucca heads, Valla and Mullaway.
I would not cycle north of Grafton on the pacific highway. It is like this for the 130km to Ballina. It has no shoulder in most areas. Maybe the Summerland Way to casino and Evans head would be betterThe weather in July around Coffs and Grafton is usually sunny with ranges from 1-2 deg in morning to 22 deg in the day. July usually has stable weather but anything is possible.
Yes I was going to suggest this myself actually, after visiting Byron Bay (a must stay for a cycling tourist) then after coming back onto the highway, cross over towards the Hinterland to the beautiful little village of Bangalow, head towards Lismore then to Casino then you can decide whether to head South towards Grafton via the Summerland way or perhaps heading further West to just before Tabulam and head South on the Clarence Valley Way via Baryugil. It has some of the most beautiful farm and rolling Hills scenery. The first 50 km wil be gravel but it's pretty good then you head towards Grafton, the last 10 kms into the West of South Grafton is by cycleway.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Byro ... 866667!3e1https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Casi ... 256818!3e1As stated, I would not recommend the road from Ballina to Grafton via the Pacific Highway 1 due to the trucks that travel this road. If you do travel the Pacific Highway, Once you you have passed the Harwood Island bridge over the Clarence River, you turn off the highway to the left and head for Yamba, nice little beach Hamlet and won't be full of tourists during the Winter, you'll have some camping ground at the Blue Dolphin Caravan Park. from there, you can cycle to the little town of Maclean then turn right after the main township near the showground and head out to Grafton via Lawrence. You'll need to cross 2 vehicle ferries but they are free and only take a few minutes to cross the river. They are cable type ferries.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Ball ... 298612!3e1Once you get into the main town of Grafton, you'll need to go over a long but very narrow bridge accross the river so you can head down to Kent Street and go along the bottom level of the bridge. This is where the trains go along and theres a walking and bicycle path on the side of the bridge.
file:///C:/Users/Davo/Downloads/Grafton_City_Cycle_map.pdf
Once you get down to Grafton you can decide to take the hwy or go slightly inland towards Coffs Via Coramba and Nana-Glen
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Graf ... 298612!3e1As stated, much of the beaches will not be along the highway South of Ballina so little ventures off the main route will be needed, when you get south of Coffs, you will get along through Nambucca where you cycle next to the river....if you like eating oysters...theres some great oyster stalls along the way...super fresh oysters...Yummo!!
cheers
brumby33
) 
